Stephen Tompkinson stars in the 2021 Summer tour of Willy Russell's Educating Rita. The tour opens in Southampton on 20 July.

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David Pugh has announced the Shirley Valentine Summer tour 2021 starring Stephen Tompkinson as Frank, and introducing Jessica Johnson as Rita, directed by Max Roberts.

Educating Rita tells the story of married hairdresser Rita, who enrols on an Open University course to expand her horizons and her encounters with university tutor Frank. Frank is a frustrated poet, brilliant academic and dedicated drinker, who is less than enthusiastic about teaching Rita. However, Frank soon finds that his passion for literature is reignited by Rita, whose technical ability for the subject is limited by her lack of education, but whose enthusiasm Frank finds refreshing. The two soon realise how much they have to learn from each other.

Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Johnson in Educating Rita UK Tour. Photo: Robert Day

The play was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and played at the Warehouse Theatre, London in 1980, starring Julie Walters and Mark Kingston. Julie Walters reprised her role in the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning film opposite Michael Caine.

The Educating Rita UK Tour will have set and costume designs by Patrick Connellan, lighting design by Drummond Orr and sound design by David Flynn.

EDUCATING RITA UK TOUR 2021

20 - 24 July 2021

Southampton MAST Mayflower Studios BOOK TICKETS

26 - 31 July 2021

Royal and Derngate Northampton BOOK TICKETS

17 - 21 August 2021

Rose Theatre Kingston BOOK TICKETS

24 - 28 August 2021

Everyman Theatre Cheltenham BOOK TICKETS

31 August - 4 September 2021

York Theatre Royal BOOK TICKETS

7 - 11 September 2021

The Capitol Horsham BOOK TICKETS

13 - 18 September 2021

Newcastle Theatre Royal BOOK TICKETS

Further dates to be announced.

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